gram PROMOTING AND NURTURING JAZZ IN APRIL 2019 WWW.JAZZINCHICAGO.ORG IN RARE SUMMIT, GREAT BILLY BRANCH MEETS JAZZ LEGEND GEORGE FREEMAN!

JAZZCITY 2019: A JOURNEY THROUGH JAZZ – THE BLUES BRANCH

APRIL 5 AT 7 PM George Freeman and Billy Branch Ellis Park | 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

WHICH CAME FIRST, JAZZ OR BLUES? IT'S A BIT blood clubs.’ But I never gave that a second thought; I was like asking that old question about the chicken and the just drawn to the music and to the guys that played it.” egg. One thing is sure, though: each art form has had a He also loves, he said, "being in different musical profound effect on the other, as headliner Billy Branch environments," counting among those international acts and special guest George Freeman will attest to at Ellis he has played with Tuareg legends Tinariwen, Mexican Park. rock band El Tri and Malian singer and guitarist Vieux Since giving the local blues scene a much-needed shot Farka Toure. of youthful adrenalin in the '70s, when he formed his George Freeman, with whom Branch is featured on longstanding band, the Sons of Blues, and also played Freeman's aptly titled new album, George the Bomb!, with 's All-Stars, harmonica is one of the towering originals in jazz – a guitarist master and singer Branch has embodied what makes this with deep connection to the blues and a big influence music special. While honoring the styles of the immortals on generations of hard bop and soul-jazz players. As who came before him, including , Junior he approaches his 92nd birthday (which falls on April Wells and Howlin' Wolf, he has carried the blues forward 10), Freeman is not just going strong, having staged a by imprinting it with his own special sound. remarkable resurgences in recent years. As his string of A committed educator known for his work with the terrific albums and live performances attest, he is still international Blues in the Schools program, Branch went capable of sheer amazement. to school himself as a young artist on the many local Together with the Sons of Blues – pianist Sumito blues artists with whom he could get on stage. “I think by Ariyoshi, guitarist Giles Corey, bassist Marvin Little and having the chance to play with and learn from guys like drummer Andrew “Blaze” Thomas, Branch and Freeman Louis Myers and Dave Myers and Fred Below – Little will highlight the blues as a living, breathing, developing Walter's band – I was able to have the ability to play at a form. The show is dedicated to Jazz Institute of Chicago high level," he told an interviewer. co-founder Bob Koester, whose Delmark record label and "I made sure every moment that I got, I was in these Delmark music store have played a major role in making clubs, some of which might be described as ‘bucket of Chicago blues and jazz available to a wide audience. n

JazzCity is a free concert series initiated in 1997 by the Jazz Institute in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, now in its 22nd season of bringing people together from across the city to listen to Chicago’s top jazz musicians. JazzCity is sponsored by WDCB 90.9 FM and WHPK 88.5 FM Radio and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information visit www.Jazzinchicago.org or call 312.427.1676. JAZZ IN CHICAGO APRIL 2019 2 APRIL IS JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH AND OUR BIRTHDAY, JOIN US TO CELEBRATE! BY COREY HALL In April of 1969, we began promoting and nurturing all forms of jazz through public events and educational programming. 2019 is our year- long golden anniversary celebration of jazz with our founders, members, partners, community, and of course...YOU! So please join us as we share our journey, celebrate the present, and look to the future because jazz is… happening!

APRIL 5 (6PM) LARRY BROWN (PRE-CONCERT FOR APRIL 17 (6PM) CELEBRATE THE POWER OF JAZZ THE COOKERS) EDUCATION | The Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Chicago Stage at Logan Center for the Arts| Free Ct. | Visit jazzinchicago.org to purchase tickets. In partnership with the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts Enjoy an elegant, fun-filled evening of good food and great music and the Jazz Institute of Chicago, Jazz at the Logan presents featuring musicians from our Jazz Links education programs. This CHICAGO STAGE showcasing local jazz artists in free pre-concert evening includes dinner and one complimentary cocktail. Cash performances in Cafe Logan at 6pm. bar available. Join us as we honor Dr. David Fodor and Jarrard Harris as Jazz Educators of the year! APRIL 5 (7PM) JAZZCITY: THE BLUES BRANCH - Ellis Park, 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.| Free APRIL 23 (6:30PM) JAZZ EDUCATION DAY 2019 Billy Branch has been a mainstay in both the blues and jazz Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct. | Free scenes in Chicago for decades – a link between the two that Join the Jazz Institute of Chicago and WDCB 90.9FM for an illustrates that the roots of jazz come from the mother tree of the evening of insight and a performance with and blues. Branch explores this notion with 91 year old wizard Rajiv Halim! George Freeman and his band, Sons of the Blues. This concert will also feature a special presentation about Freeman’s new APRIL 25 (5:30PM) DIGGING OUR ROOTS: CHICAGO’S album “George The Bomb!” by Southport Records. GREATEST HITS – JULI WOOD AND MICHAEL JACKSON APRIL 10 (5PM) JAZZ LINKS JAM SESSION ON THE CHICAGO TENOR SOUND | Chicago Cultural Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct. | Free Center, 78 E. Washington St. | Free Presented in partnership with the Jazz Journalists Association Designed for students ages 9-19, Jazz Links Jam Sessions take and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. A place one Wednesday per month from October – May. Students lively conversation between tenorwoman Juli Wood and jazz perform with one another and with the Jazz Links house band journalist, photographer and saxophonist Michael Jackson about which includes world-class, professional musicians. All are the Chicago Sound and the ways in which the particular energy welcome to attend and hear the next generation of jazz at this and vitality of Chicago’s urban culture shaped Chicago’s tenor free event. players’ approach to their horns. APRIL 12 (6PM) WOMEN’S JAZZ LEADERSHIP APRIL 30 (6:30PM) CELEBRATION OF THE JAZZ INITIATIVE JAM SESSION | William Harris Lee & Co. INSTITUTE’S 50TH BIRTHDAY 410 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 560 | Free Apple Store, 401 N. Michigan Ave. | Free In partnership with William Harris Lee & Co., the Jazz Institute In partnership with Apple, we will celebrate our birthday of Chicago’s Women’s Jazz Leadership Initiative (WJLI) FREE jam on International Jazz Day with a program that includes an sessions highlight young female talent in the WJLI program while intergenerational panel discussion, performance, and a providing a safe and encouraging space for women to express jam session. themselves. All genders, ages, and skill levels are welcome to attend and participate.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have a story or birthday note for the Jazz Institute, please submit to [email protected]. We’re compiling stories to share on our website and social media. Follow us at jazzinchicago.org/50th and social media to keep up to date on all our anniversary activities!

JAZZ IN CHICAGO APRIL 2019 3 CHILD OF THE AACM TAKES FLIGHT SAALIK ZIYAD’S LIFE CELEBRATED BY THOSE NEAR AND FAR!

BY COREY HALL

AS THE AFRICAN-DRUM PROCESSION LED by Baba Atiba & the Babas began, Daaiyah and Taalib- Din Ziyad followed. Their son, vocalist and composer Saalik, had joined the ancestors two weeks before at age 40. While everyone at this Celebration of Life stood up in reverence, Daaiyah summoned strength. “I had to push myself,” she said, when discussing the occasion, held March 1 at Saint Columbanus Church on East 71st Street. “It was like my legs didn’t want to cooperate, but I knew I had to, because we were in front. All our family members were behind us, so I knew what I had to do.” photo by Lauren Deutsch “It was just mind-boggling how many people were there,” Saalik's Homegoing Ceremony Taalib-Din added. “I had people who came from my job I The latter included a performance at then-President Nelson retired from in 2016 show up. It was really an outpouring Mandela’s house. In an interview published on the CCC’s of unadulterated love.” alumni web site, he discussed a moment from the choir’s Numerous tributes in song were performed by, among homecoming concert from South Africa. others, the Association for the Advancement of Creative “It was just an amazing feeling, singing and marching in,” Musicians’ (AACM) Great Black Music Ensemble. (Saalik Saalik said. “I think we learned a lot, and we became closer began his studies at the AACM School of Music at age as a group. We were all crying.” nine and became an instructor there at age 18). Adam Singing with the CCC, he added, showed how it is Zanolini and Taalib-Din engaged in a flute dialogue, and possible to see people as people without prejudice. This violinist James Sanders performed “Chant,” along with alto perspective, Taalib-Din noted, guided his son’s life. saxophonist Ernest Dawkins; Bach’s “Adagio from Sonata “Saalik was unique in that he didn’t see color; he just No. 1 in G Minor,” and Duke’s “Come Sunday,” with saw people. He said there is only one race, the human race,” vocalist Felena Bunn and keyboardist Justin Dillard. Taalib-Din recalled. “He understood what racism was, but “I asked James to play ‘Chant’ specifically because that he didn’t dwell on it. On his iPad and phone, he had over has always been my favorite,” Daaiyah said. “Saalik used 3,000 contacts. He knew people from all over the world.” to sing ‘Come Sunday,’ which always brought me to tears. Saalik’s inner-peace, Daaiyah added, radiated outward, And James wanted to do a Bach piece, because Saalik was a allowing him to unite people who were estranged from Bach aficionado.” each other. “These people, relatives and friends, were at Hostess Margaret Murphy-Webb, when greeting the the service,” she said. “I was so happy to see that. I said, attendees, emphasized the words Good Morning to enforce ‘There’s Saalik in action.’” to everyone how Saalik’s life would only be celebrated. The Ziyads also expressed gratitude for everyone “I would like for everyone to remember Saalik for his who traveled from both coasts to attend the Celebration. music,” Murphy-Webb said. “Every time he entered a They were also pleased to see Saalik’s childhood friends, room, he embraced everybody. Every time he was in the especially Pastor Jonathan Brooks, who serves Canaan hospital, he told so many jokes. He kept laughing right Community Church in Englewood. Pastor Brooks delivered through the pain.” the eulogy. Murphy-Webb, along with vocalists Maggie Brown, Saalik’s ever-present iPad, Brooks said, captured his Bunn, Joan Collaso, and Lynn Jordan, performed “You’ve intricate, internal intimacy for humanity through multiple Got a Friend.” Earlier, the Chicago Children’s Choir alumni compositions. Saalik’s expressive love for life encompassed sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” everything except for two things: a stranger he would Saalik sang with the Chicago Children’s Choir (CCC) ignore – “This man knew everybody!” – and a song he did from 1984-96. This involvement would lead to him not know. participating in tours to Russia, Poland, and South Africa. continued on page 7

JAZZ IN CHICAGO APRIL 2019 4

April 13: Four Letter Words Jason Stein, 8:30pm JIC EVENTS & AROUND TOWN DRAKE HOTEL CHICAGO...... 140 E. Walton Coq d’Or at the Drake Hotel/312-932-4622 April 5 (7pm): A Journey Through Jazz - The Blues Branch Thursdays through Saturdays: Jazz Vocalists, call for details. Ellis Park, 3520 S Cottage Grove Ave (see page 1) | Free EDDIE V’S...... 521 N Rush Street/312-595-1114 April 10 (5pm): Jazz Links Jam Session, Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth www.eddiev.com/home Ct. | Free ELASTIC ARTS...... 2830 N. Milwaukee/elasticarts.org April 12 (6pm): Women’s Jazz Leadership Initiative Jam Session April 1: Clausen/Cruz & Wills McKenna Quartet, 9pm William Harris Lee & Co., 410 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 560 | Free April 4: Young/Kirshner Duo & Young/Pomerleau/Stephenson/ April 17 (6pm): Celebrate the Power of Jazz Education 2019, The Kirshner, 9pm Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Ct. | Tickets available at jazzinchicago.org April 8: The KickBack & Sam Jewell and It’s Us, 9pm April 11: Wet Ink: Josh Modney Engage Trio & Rempis/Lopez/Pack- April 23 (6:30pm): Jazz Education Day featuring Ari Brown and Rajiv ard, 9pm Halim, Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct. | Free April 15: Mazzarella/Dillingham & Chris Madsen Quartet, 9pm April 25 (5:30pm): Digging Our Roots: Chicago’s Greatest Hits - Juli April 25: Ullman/Swell Quartet - The Chicago Plan, 9pm Wood and Michael Jackson on The Chicago Tenor Sound, Chicago April 29: Emma Adomeit Trio, Kyle McComb Trio & Christopher Erb Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington | Free Trio, 9pm April 30: International Jazz Day/ Jazz Institute’s Birthday Celebration, EXPERIMENTAL SOUND STUDIO...... 5925 N. Ravenswood The Apple Store, 401 N. Michigan Ave. | Free 773-998-1069/www.ess.org FIFOLET CAJUN & COCKTAILS...... 1942 W. Division St/773-384-6886 *PLEASE NOTE: Not all clubs have their schedules Wednesdays (8pm): Aaron Day Trio CLUBS* set by our deadlines or present jazz exclusively. Call ahead or check their websites. FITZGERALD’S...... 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn/708-788-2118 Wednesday SideBar Sessions sponsored by WDCB 90.9 Chicago’s 210 RESTAURANT & LIVE MUSIC LOUNGE..... 210 Green Bay Rd, Jazz Station, 8pm, $10 suggested donation Highwood, IL/847-433-0304/210restaurant.com April 2: Bluesday Tuesday with Bill Branch and the Sons of Blues, The JazzLive@210 series is every Thursday 7-10pm. We also offer 7pm jazz or acoustic music Wednesdays 7-10pm. No cover April 7: The Chicago Grandstand Big Band, 6pm April 4: Soulshine: An Allman Brothers Tribute at 210 Live, 7:30pm April 14: Bill O’Connell’s Chicago Skyliners, Oak Park High School April 5: Guy King Band, 8pm Jazz Band, 5:30pm April 7: Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan, 7pm April 28: British Buddy Alumni Big Band w/ vocalist frieda Lee, 6pm April 10: Bill Porter Orchestra, 7pm April 14: Blues/Rock Pro Jam w/ Louie Zagoras, 7pm FITZ’S SPARE KEYS...... 119 N. York St, Elmhurst/630-379-5007 April 18: Skip Towne, 7pm April 23 (7pm) & EVERY 4th Tuesday: Jazz Community Big Band April 24: Luciano Antonio & Greg Fishman, 7pm Niles West HSJB to open at 7:00; Reservations suggested. April 28: Shout Section Big Band, 7pm GOOD LIFE CAFÉ...... 2057 Ridge Road, Homewood/708-960-0418 Every Thursday at 7pm ANDY’S ��������������������������������������������������������� 11 E. Hubbard/312-642-6805 Showtimes: 5pm & 7pm / 9:30pm & 11:30pm GREEN MILL...... 4802 N. Broadway/773-878-5552 Every Sunday: 5pm and 7pm - Charles Heath’s Early Risers Jazz SUNDAYS: (7pm-10pm) Uptown Poetry Slam/ (11pm) Soul Jazz Jam, 9:30pm and 11:30pm - ’s Late Night Jazz Jam Night with the Joel Paterson Trio featuring Chris Fore- Every Monday: 5pm and 7pm - Eric Schneider Quartet, 9:30pm and man on the Hammond B-3 Organ 11:30pm - Bowmanville April 28: 2pm - 4pm, Chicago Jazz Composers Collective Every Tuesday: 5pm and 7pm - Vocalist Keri Johnsrud, 9:30pm and MONDAYS: (9pm-1am) Patricia Barber Quartet 11:30pm - After Dark A Tribute TUESDAYS: (9pm-1am) The Fat Babies. Every Wednesday: 5pm and 7pm - Andy Brown Quartet, 9:30pm April 2: Andrew Bird, 7:30pm - 9:30pm; Fat Babies, 10:30pm and 11:30pm - Mike Smith & The Jordan Baskin Trio WEDNESDAYS: (6:30pm-8pm) Paper Machete Cocktail Hour/ Every Thursday: 5pm and 7pm - Pete Benson Organ Trio, 9:30 and (9pm-1am) Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan/ 11:30pm - The Trumpet Summit (2am) Late Night Industry Set with the Frank Every Friday at 5pm and 7pm: Matt Shevitz Quartet Catalano Sextet Every Saturday at 5 & 7pm: Chris Greene Quartet April 3: 7:30pm, Andrew Bird April 5-6, 9:30 and 11:30pm: Tim Fitzgerald’s Full House THURSDAYS: (5:30pm-8pm) Andy Brown Solo Jazz Guitar Cocktail April 12-13, 9:30 and 11:30pm: Juli Wood’s Big Bari Band Hour Show/ (9pm-1am) Alan Gresik Swing Shift April 19-20, 9:30 and 11:30pm: Juan Pastor’s Jazz Reunion Orchestra April 26-27, 9:30 and 11:30pm: Battle of the Saxes FRIDAYS: (5pm-8pm) “Flipside Show” with Chris Foreman on Ham- BENNY’S CHOP HOUSE...... 444 N. Wabash/312-626-2444/ mond B-3 Organ www.bennyschophouse.com SATURDAYS: (3pm-5pm) The Paper Machete/(midnight-5am) After Hours Jazz Party with and Company BUDDY GUY’S LEGENDS CHICAGO...... 700 S. Wabash Ave./ April 6: 8pm - midnight, Stephane Wrembel Quartet 312-427-1190/www.buddyguy.com. Sundays: 5-8pm April 13: 8pm - midnight,George Freeman's 92nd b-day bash fea- CAFE MUSTACHE...... 2313 N Milwaukee Ave./773-687-9063 turing Bernard "Pretty" Purdie | cafemustache.com. Live music Tuesdays-Sundays April 20: 8pm - midnight, Brad Goode Quintet featuring Ernie April 23: Kyle Madsen Trio at 9pm Watts CLIPPER ...... 1002 N. California Ave. April 27: 8pm - midnight, Pat Mallinger Quartet featuring Bill Car- Live music Tuesdays-Sundays: 8pm-1:30am rothers CITY LIFE...... 712 E. 83rd/312-723-6700 HIDEOUT...... 1354 W. Wabansia/773-227-4433 Sundays: 8:30pm-12:30am Two sets, 9:30pm (unless otherwise noted) CITY WINERY...... 1200 W. Randolph St/312-733-WINE HONKY TONK BBQ...... 1800 S. Racine/312-226-7427 www.citywinery.com Every Wed: The Blue Three, 6pm | Every Sun: Chicago Cellar Boys, 8pm CONSTELLATION...... 3111 N. Western/www.constellation.org HUNGRY BRAIN...... 10pm, 2319 W Belmont Ave/773-935-2118, $10 Show times and cover charges vary. Most shows 18 and over. Tuesday night fellowship hosted by Greg Ward, every Tues. at 9pm April 3: Dave King / Chris Weller Duo, 8:30pm HYDE PARK JAZZ SOCIETY SUNDAY JAZZ AT ROOM 43...... April 4: Rob Clearfield Quartet, 8:30pm 1043 E. 43rd, hydeparkjazzsociety.com, Sundays, 7:30 & 9:30pm, $10 cash April 5: Charles Rumback Quartet Macie Stewart and Lia Kohl, $5 for students with ID's 8:30pm April 7: Theodis Rogers, April 7: Mike Okazaki’s Trickster, 8:30pm April 14: Double show, one price: UChicago Jazz X-Tet at 6pm & April 12: Paul Dietrich Jazz Ensemble, 8:30pm Isaiah Collier at 7:30pm

JAZZ IN CHICAGO APRIL 2019 5

April 21: Victor Goines with special guest, Sherman Irby MULTI KULTI...... 1000 N. Milwaukee, 4th Floor, 10pm, April 28: Kirk Brown, piano Tuesdays: Jazz with Vincent Davis 3rd Tuesday at Café Logan, 915 E. 60th Street, Free Sundays: Improvisation jam session hosted by Henry Mayer April 16: Chris Madsen, sax Music Monday: Inner City Studies, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd, 773-752-3955 ILLIANA CLUB OF TRADITIONAL JAZZ...... The Glendora House, Second Monday of the month: 7pm-10pm (doors open at 6:30pm). 102nd and Harlem, Chicago Ridge/708-672-3561, 2-5pm Hosted by Joan Collaso and WVON Radio personality Cliff Kelley * $18 in advance; * $20 at door. Students with ID – free admission MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO...... Nicholas Concert Hall www.illianajazz.com *Prices will vary according to band. 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston/ 800-838-3006 / musicinst.org/jazz-festival JAZZ COMMUNITY BIG BAND....www.jazzcommunitybigband.com MYOPIC BOOKS...... 1564 N. Milwaukee/773-862-4882 April 7: 7:30 - 9:30pm, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 8450 N. Mondays: 7:30pm, Improvised Jazz Series Shermer Rd., Niles/ 847-965-8210 NIRVANA WINE & GRILLERIE...... 701 N. Milwaukee, Ste. 280, Jazz Vespers - Jazz for a great cause! Reception afterwards Vernon Hills/847-918-7828, Fridays: 7pm, Matt Persin Acoustic for fellowship and light refreshments. NORMAN’S BISTRO...... 1001 E. 43rd/773-966-5821 April 23: 7:00 - 10:30 pm, Fitz's Spare Keys and EVERY 4th Tuesday Sundays: 9pm-midnight, Open Jam Sessions featuring Ernest of the month. .119 N. York St., Elmhurst – free parking lot off back Dawkins with Dennis Luxion, Michael Lough, and Isaiah Spencer alley. No cover. Reservations taken 630-379-5007. Niles West HS PETE MILLER’S...... 1557 Sherman, Evanston/847-328-0399 and Jazz Band to open at 7pm 412 N. Milwaukee, Wheeling/847-243-3700 Mon.-Sat. evenings: Live jazz JAZZY MONDAYS AT THE CENTER, A JCI/ICD PRODUCTION. PIANO FORTE...... 1335 S. Michigan Ave/312-291-0000 700 E. Oakwood Blvd, Chicago/Reservations: 312-808-0005 PHYLLIS’ MUSICAL INN...... 1800 W. Division/773-486-9862 Hosted by Joan Collaso & WVON’s Cliff Kelley, every 2nd Monday POPS FOR CHAMPAGNE...... 601 N. State/ 312-266-7677 of the month! 6:30-9:30pm. Doors open 6pm. Sunday-Tuesday: 9pm, Joe Policastro Trio JAZZ RECORD ART COLLECTIVE..1821 W. Hubbard/773-852-2481 www.jazzrecordartcollective.com. Wednesdays at Fulton Street THE PROMONTORY...... 5311 South Lake Park Ave. Collective. All shows: 8pm Doors/9pm Show. $10 Suggested dona- West Chicago (Hyde Park) promontorychicago.com tion/$5 with valid student ID. All ages. Cash only. THE RHYTHM ROOM...... 1715 Maple Ave. Evanston, IL April 2: Caroline Davis' Heart Tonic w/Forrest Sky, 7:30 Doors, 8pm Friday and Saturday: 7pm-11pm, live jazz Show SABOR A CAFE...... 2435 W. Peterson Ave./773-878-6327 April 3: Shout Section Big Band, 8pm Show .saboracaferestaurant.com. Live music Thurs to Sat. 9 & 10:30pm sets April 4: JRAC, Kenny Garrett's 1997 release Songbook, 8pm Doors, SERBIAN VILLAGE...... 3144 W. Irving Park 9pm Show Mondays: 9pm-1am, Pro Jazz Jam, Tom Muellner, piano, Jim Cox, April 5: 8:00pm Show bass, and Phil Gratteau, jam session April 9: 8pm Doors, 8:30 Show April 11: JRAC, Cannonball Adderley's 1991 release, Radio Nights, SKYLARK...... 2149 S. Halsted/312-948-5275/10pm 8pm Doors, 9pm Show Monday Night: Improvised Music Series April 14: Ben Winkelman Trio, 8pm Show SLATE ARTS...... 3203 W. North Ave./ 847- 312-1527 April 18: JRAC, Lee Konitz' 1961 release Motion, 8pm Doors, 9pm SOME LIKE IT BLACK CREATIVE ARTS BAR..4259 S Cottage Grove Show Ave/773-891-4866 April 19: Chicago Yestet, 8:30pm Doors, 9pm Show Every 4th Wed. at 7pm: Young Lions Open Jam ft. Jeremiah Collier April 22: Chinchano CD release April 24: Ben Zucker’s Fifth Season w/ Boomerang,8:30pm Show WATER HOLE...... 14th & Western Ave. April 25: JRAC, John Coltrane's 1963 release Ballads: Volume 1 Wednesdays: 8-11:30pm, Weekly jam sessions on Thursdays – Velvet Sounds Series: A Tribute to , house band: JAZZ SHOWCASE...... 806 S. Plymouth Ct./312-360-0234 Scott Hesse, guitar, Michael Lough, bass, Justin Thomas, vibes. Visit www.jazzshowcase.com for weekday JIC member discounts! Every last Friday of the month is Jazz Night JIC member card required. Two sets: 8 & 10pm & Sun.matinee at 4pm. Two sets at 8pm & 10pm & Sunday matinee at 4pm. WHISTLER...... Logan Square/773-227-3530 April 1: Roosevelt University Jazz Ensemble, 7:30pm Mondays (9pm): The Whistler Jam Featuring Matt Ulery and Quin April 2: Australian Youth Jazz Ensemble with Bob Lark, 7pm Kirchner. Every Tuesday: 9:30pm, Relax Attack Jazz Series April 3-6: Saxophonist Brian Gephart group, 8pm & 10pm WINTER’S JAZZ CLUB.....465 N. McClurg Court (on the promenade) April 4-6: Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane Quartet, 8pm & 10pm 312.344.1270, www.wintersjazzclub.com, [email protected] April 7: Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane Quartet,4pm,8pm & 10pm Sets: Tues. - Thurs. 7, 8:30, 10pm, Friday and Saturday 8, 9:30, 11pm April 8-9: Roosevelt University Jazz Ensemble, 7:30pm April 2: Rose Colella Organ Quartet April 10: Jazz Links Jazz Session, 5pm April 3: Joe Policastro Trio April 15: New Standard Jazz Orchestra, 8pm & 10pm April 4: Chris White Trio - Charlie Brown All Stars April 16: Vocalist Suneetha Vaiteswaran Quartet, 8pm & 10pm April 5: Greta Matassa Quartet April 17: Saxophonist Mark Colby Quartet, 8pm & 10pm April 6: Bobby Lewis Quintet April 22: Roosevelt University Jazz Ensemble, 7:30pm April 7: Heritage Jazz Orchestra April 23: WDCB 90.9FM Free Concert-TBA, 8pm & 10pm April 9: Stu Mindeman Trio April 24: Rose Colella Chicago Academy of the arts jazz fest, 7pm April 10: Fumée Gypsy Project April 25 - 27: Michael Weiss/Eric Alexander Quartet Birthday Tribute April 11: Jeremy Kahn Trio to & Joe Segal, 8pm & 10pm April 12-13: Denise Thimes Quintet April 28: Michael Weiss/Eric Alexander Quartet Birthday Tribute to April 14: Chicago Jazz Orchestra Johnny Griffin & Joe Segal, 4pm,8pm & 10pm April 16: Rose Colella Organ Quartet April 29: Bob Lark & his Alumni Big Band, 8pm & 10pm April 17: Ryan Cohan Trio JIMMY’S WOODLAWN TAP...... 1172 E. 55th/773-643-5516 April 18: Typhanie Monique Trio Sundays: 9pm, Curtis Black Quartet/Jam Session Second Set April 19-20: Victor Goines & Sherman Irby April 21: Heritage Jazz Orchestra LE PIANO...... 6970 N. Glenwood/773-209-7631/lepianochicago.com April 23: Trio THE LIGHTHOUSE...... 1236 W. Chase/773-764-9414 April 24: Fumée Gypsy Project Every other Thursday (free) featuring Jimmy Bennington April 25: Jeremy Kahn Trio + Sarah Marie Young M LOUNGE...... 1520 S. Wabash/312-447-0201 April 26: Paul Marinaro & Alyssa Allgood Free live music every Tuesday and Wednesday 7:00 - 10:00pm April 27: Paul Marinaro & Alyssa Allgood MISKA’S...... 2156 W. Belmont/773-935-5373 April 28: Chicago Jazz Orchestra Quintet Sundays: 5:30pm-7pm. Improvisation jam session hosted by April 30: Rose Colella Organ Josh Beatty/Michael Baker/Henry Mayer YASSA AFRICAN RESTAURANT...... 3511 S. King Drive/773-488-5599 MULLEN’S BAR AND GRILL...... 3080 Warrenville Rd., Lisle/630-505-0240 Thursdays: 8pm, Pete Ellman’s Big Band

JAZZ IN CHICAGO APRIL 2019 6 FROM THE ARCHIVES Jazz Sheet, Spring 1969: THE CHICAGO DAILY BLUES by Bob Koester

SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE EDITORS OF job of some kind. And, of course, bluesmen found others Blues Unlimited in England got wind of a 45-rpm record and recommended them to the recording companies. on the Bluestown label. When prohibition ended, bluesmen gradually drifted into Wanting to learn more about the firm, they asked playing at bars, still for tips until the late '30s when blues friends going to the for summer vacations recording and blues bars began to be organized by the to try to locate the manufacturer in Chicago. They were musicians union. surprised to find that the firm was located in the War-time prosperity increased the number of black area. Their first assumption was natural – because blues families moving to Chicago, where they could maintain fans the world over do think of Chicago as Bluestown. a semblance of contact with their home by listening to It's been the major center for contemporary blues activity fellow refugees in the blues bars. Sonny Boy Williamson, for decades. Memphis Minnie, Joe McCoy and the Harlem Hamfats, When New York record companies began producing Memphis and Sunnyland Slim, and such younger Chicago- records for black people in the- 1920s, their first move born and/or Chicago-bred talent as , J. B. Hutto, outside Manhattan was to go to Chicago. OKeh, Vocalion Magic Sam, Mighty Joe Young and sat in and and Paramount recorded extensively in Chicago studios. became the newer generation in the years following the As early as 1923, there were sessions that produced end of World War II. classics by such artists as Ma Rainey, The war years were busy years for the established and Ida Cox. Eventually rural blues performers, such bluesmen but, due to rationing of shellac, younger artists as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Barrelhouse Welch and Blind were unable to get recording dates. As soon as materials Blake, were brought to Chicago from the South and were available. a rash of small independent firms sprouted Southwest to make the first folk-blues recordings. The to fill the postwar demand for blues and to tap the rich "race series" catalogs of the time contained no small supply of great blues talent in Chicago. Chess, United, amount of jazz, but the bulk was blues material. When the Vee-Jay, Cobra, Chief and dozens of others came. They Depression hit the music business, the record business and, introduced a good share of blues talent (together with most severely, the jazzmen, blues recording continued, and gospel singers, some jazz, and soul singers and groups), Chicago became even more than before the center of blues but most eventually went out of business. In the '60s, activity. European jazz concert promoters began to import Lester Melrose (a music publisher whose career dated bluesmen from Chicago (and else- where) for European back to the Gennett days of King Oliver, Jelly Roll concert tours. European jazz magazines sent writers and Morton and Bix Beiderbecke) and J. Mayo Williams photographers to the United States, mainly to Chicago, (former football player and journalist who entered the to write articles on the blues. European jazz record firms record business with Paramount) controlled virtually began to reissue blues recordings (the reissue sometimes the entire "race" field, promoting such now well-known outsold the original). With all this as stimulus, many artists as Big Bill Broonzy, , Big Joe American jazz fans and folk music fans looked into the Williams and Curtis Jones. In those scuffling days, a blues, bought the records, and sought out the artists for blues record was a hit if it sold as few as 5,000 copies. new recordings. The folk-hootenanny craze spun off a Tunes introduced in those days remain standards in the blues world that in turn influenced rock. repertoire of bluesmen. Today, when Canned Heat, John Mayall, Mother Earth, At first, the artists were brought into town, made Fleetwood Mac, and other pop groups hit Chicago, they their recordings and went back home to await the local go to the South Side or the West Side to hear the powerful prominence deriving from their brief recording career. But combos of Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Mighty sometimes a record sold outside the down-home market, Joe Young, and the many other bluesmen who play there. and the artist was able to move to Chicago. Other artists Chicago must have been something like this in the '20s, were discovered by Melrose and Mayo in the Chicago when King Oliver, Jimmie Noone, Louis, Johnny Dodds, ghettos. and the other great jazzmen played in the clubs on the It took time and effort to discover folk-blues talent in South Side. Today's blues scene conjures up images of those days. One found blues artists by going to house- piano parties at Jimmy Yancey's, of the clubs where Roy rent parties, by living and working in the ghetto where Eldridge, Earl Hines, King Kolax and others worked in the blues could be heard on street corners and in alleys, the '30s and '40s, where bop happened in the '40s and where the artists played for tips. More than one artist '50s. The spirit that spawned it all is still alive in Chicago-- was discovered while taking a blues break from a routine Bluestown, U.S.A. n

JAZZ IN CHICAGO APRIL 2019 7 JAZZLINKS PROGRAMS UPDATE "JAZZ IN THE CHI" RECAP The Jazz Institute of Chicago’s inaugural Jazz in the Chi Festival was a success! The all-day festival featured 18 ensembles from 12 Chicago-area high schools, as well as numerous workshops, vendors, and a jam session. Soloists Stephen Wells, Maria Bradley (King College Prep); Julia Sculsky (Taft High School); Bryan Ortiz (Dundee-Crown High School); Steven Bowman (Kenwood Academy); Frank Morrison (Morgan Park High School); Sarah Craft (Whitney Young); and Maria Gonzalez (Solorio Academy) were all recognized for their outstanding musicianship. We are excited to announce that next year’s festival will

be held at Whitney Young Magnet High School on Saturday, photo by Erin Brown February 22, 2020!

JAM SESSIONS – NEW TIME & LOCATION! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019 | 5-7PM JAZZ SHOWCASE | 806 S. PLYMOUTH CT. | FREE! Monthly jam sessions provide students with an opportunity to connect with other student musicians and perform with world-class professional Robert Irving III, Katie Ernst, Marcus Evans and Jarrard Harris in the Jazz Links house band. Hosted in partnership with , the jam sessions provide everyone with a chance to see young talent develop right before their eyes and ears.

JAZZGRAM A monthly newsletter published by the Jazz Institute of SAALIK ZIYAD continued from page 3 Chicago for its members. The Jazzgram represents the views of the authors, and unless so designated, does not “I have countless stories about Saalik just bursting into song in reflect official policy of the Jazz Institute. We welcome news and articles with differing opinions. the most random places,” Brooks recalled to the amused assembly. “I Editor: Jason Koransky | Managing Editor: JIC Communications was in the Burger King drive-thru trying to give my order, and he just Design: Letterform | Production: Barbara Ciurej Design Correspondents: Rahsaan Clark Morris, Corey Hall, David Whiteis broke out in song! I said, ‘Saalik! This is not the time!’ But that was Board of Directors: President: David Helverson Saalik. He reminded everyone that music is why we live.” Vice Presidents: Timuel Black, Warren Chapman, Brian Myerholtz, William Norris Whenever Brooks visited Saalik in the hospital, he made sure to Secretary: Howard Mandel ready his voice for the duets that would surely happen. But then, on Treasurer: Darryl Wilson Emeritus Director: Joseph B. Glossberg what would turn out to be his final visit, Brooks saw something he Executive Director: Heather Ireland Robinson Board Members: David Bloomberg, Miguel de la Cerna, Dan had never seen. Epstein, Rajiv Halim, Jarrard Harris, Bill King, Jason Koransky, Terry Martin, Ted Oppenheimer, Bethany Pickens, Keyonn Pope, Mike “I saw him with his spirits down. He said, ‘I’m just tired, man. I just Reed, Kent Richmond, Harold Rogers, Judith E. Stein, Conrad Terry, Neil Tesser want to see the sun. I just want to go outside and walk around. I just Founded in 1969, the Jazz Institute of Chicago, a not-for-profit corporation, want to perform for people. I’m sick of being in this bed,’” Brooks promotes and nurtures jazz in Chicago by providing jazz education, developing and supporting musicians, building Chicago audiences and recalled. “But then his lips curled up a bit, and we had a scattin’ fostering a thriving jazz scene. session!” 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 500, Chicago IL 60605 | 312-427-1676 • How, then, will Brooks continue what Saalik started? Fax: 312-427-1684 • JazzInChicago.org “We will make music more intensely…and beautifully. This will The Jazz Institute of Chicago is supported in part by The Alphawood Foundation | The Francis Beidler Foundation | The Chicago Community Trust | A CityArts grant from be our reply to violence. We will make music more open than ever the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events | Crown Family Philanthropies | The Philip Darling Foundation | The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley before,” he said, as his testimony approached an audience-consuming Foundation | The Arts Council Agency | Lloyd A. Fry Foundation | The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince | The National Endowment for the Arts crescendo. “We will devotedly make more music. In our community, | The Oppenheimer Family Foundation | The Polk Bros. Foundation | The Benjamin Rosenthal Foundation | Wells Fargo Foundation we will make more music! With tears falling from our eyes, we will make more music! We will make more music in honor of Saalik Ahmad Ziyad. We will make more music! And that is my prayer.” n DATED MATERIAL

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